9.24.2011

Getting away...

The lovely coffee table book was gifted to me last Christmas by my son. He was dropping subtle hints that it had been over a year since I had visited him in the state he now calls home. Each phone call he would end it by saying, "When are you going to come visit me?" Mom knew it was time to visit, but was just waiting for a little slow down or lull at work.

So here we are, approaching two years since we've been out there,still waiting for that little lull,that little slow down...

A couple weekends ago we were on a little weekend road trip with my sister and her husband. Guys in the front seat, girls in the back seat and me sporting my groovy reading glasses and stitching in hand. The phone rings, it is the sonny boy. Dad has him on blue-tooth, so I'm hearing both sides of the conversation, with he and his dad. The boy is telling his dad there are cheap airline flights to Denver. Before I knew it the dh was handing over his credit card to his brother (yes, his brother is my sister's husband...sister's married brothers) and uncle Bruce is reading off the dh's credit card numbers and the son is booking the tickets. While all this is going on, I'm stressing from the back seat, thinking I can't be gone then, that's when the November Word Play chart releases, I then think holy schmolly I can't be gone that long, I relay that thought to the dh...he tells me, "yes, you can" in a somewhat firm sounding voice.

So folks, I'm taking a few days off...I'll need to put in some long daysbefore I leavebut am looking forward to our visit.

I did tell the dh that there are going to be rulesthoughon this trip.I'm scared of heights.I wasn't aware of thisuntil the son moved to Denver.Maybe it's the mountains,maybe its the thin air,everything out there just seems so big and vast...it makes one feel so tiny.

So the rules are:

1. I've already called shot-gun...I get sick in the back seat when driving in the mountains.

2. No resident of Colorado is going to drive the car when I'm a passenger in the car. This means all the driving is going to be done by the dh, peroid. You see the dh drives like an Iowa farmer out checking the crops, if you don't know about this type of driving, just think s-l-o-w. This is the speed I feel safest at when riding on the sides of a mountain with hair pin turns quickly approaching. The son's city driving method is, you have to get up to 30 mph (cause that's the speed limit) from one stop light to the next. Then you slam on the brakes and then do it all over again in one city block, meanwhile Mom's suffering from whip-lash and her food feels like it's tickling her tonsils... This is also the son that is always in need of new brake pads...

3. No hiking a snow/icy glacier this trip either... I'm a whimp, and I'll be the first to admit it.

So we are going to take in the sights of Colorado, the Aspen trees should be at their peak and I'm hoping for some good picture taking. The son mentioned a train ride. I've always wanted to go on a scenic train ride, so I agreed. I asked him if it was scary, he informed me the tracks ran along a river. In hind-sight, he really didn't answer my question. That should have been my first clue...gesh you would have thought I never raised any children. When they dance around your question, not really answering it, that's a red flag, always.

So I always like to research things, you know like doing a Google search...So I GoogledRoyal Gorge Colorado.Now I know my vocabulary. I know what royal means andI know what a gorge is. I just never put two and two together...

Remember I am a mid-western farm girland it is pretty flat in these parts,where I live.

What have I gotten myself into?I'm now pretty surethat the husbandandsonare talking about mombehind her back,poking fun at how freaked outshe's going to be...

So I need your help on this...Any Colorado readers out there?

If so...

Because if I do,maybe I should ride in the trunk.

Please tell methere is a way to that train ridefrom Denverwithout crossing that bridge,cause I get sweaty pitsandwhite knucklesjust looking at that picture....

So nowif I could just figure out a wayto convince the airport folkthat these sweet little scissors,at just 2 1/4" long,are not a weapon...Do they not knowhow much stitchingI could get done in two hoursof un-interrupted time?{sigh}

LOL. 25 million people have crossed that bridge and lived to tell about. You will be so entralled with the scenery you will not care! If you can fly in a plane, you can cross that bridge. I have lived in Colorado for 28 years and it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. You will love it!

Brenda, you are so hilarious! We visit my husband's family in CO every year or two but rarely go to the mountains. They live in the plains where it is flat like Iowa! Not very pretty though! When there, I'm mostly interested in enjoying the weather...cool, unlike Georgia! And the quilt/wool shops...which carry fabric that I like, unlike Georgia! Enjoy the scenery and the wildlife and don't worry about your deadlines; we'll still love your designs whenever they get to us!!

I don't know about the bridge either, and I sympathize greatly on that front. However, just go with it. On the scissors front, check your airline website--I was able to fly with small scissors this past summer. The rules are always being tweaked. and dh is right, you just have to MAKE the time or it will never happen. Enjoy the trip! Becky in Georgia.

No fa-lippin' way would I cross that bridge!! I've got a super bridge phobia, can't fly either, and that picture gave me vertigo! I hope you can find a way to the train that doesn't involve crossing that thing!! I totally empathize with you! But have a great trip!

another fearer of heights here.....I walked down the middle of the bridge at Royal Gorge until met by an oncoming car and had to be pulled to the side....ughhhh....not the 'tram'? ride down the side wasn't too bad....you are strapped in. ;)But it is sooooo beautiful out there

DH is right about the trip....You need to do this - pattern releases will and can wait. Who's not going to understand? But about that bridge - that's cruel AND unusual....Bad son. When I first read he was suggesting a train trip, I immediately reeled back 20 years to when I did one of those scenic train rides in Canada...YIKES!! What scenery? My eyes were scrunched tightly closed most of the way....Don't know what it is - have absolutely no problem flying - love it in fact - but bridges - particularly RAILROAD bridges - scare the heck out of me. The last time we went fishing we had to cross a railroad bridge - I literally crawled across it on my hands and knees - reached the fishing hole just in time to crawl back the other way!! Good luck with that one Sweetie! Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

Oh, Brenda, you poor thing. This trip is gonna be a white knuckle experience for you if you have to go across that bridge. Maybe you should schedule that for the first day, so you don't spend the time leading up to it stressing about it? Good luck and take lots of pics. (If your DH can, I'd love a pic leaning out over the bridge, lol. I'm not afraid of heights at all!!)

I just had to drag my mom over to the computer to read your post and all these comments. She says "WHERE IN THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT DOES IT SAY YOU HAVE TO CROSS SCARY BRIDGES?". That's the day you go shopping for new scissors, threads and patterns. This keeps you calm and laughing BECAUSE YOUR NOT ON THAT UGLY SCARY TRIP. Keep us tuned when you get back.

You will love the train ride. DH took me last year on July 4 with the gourmet lunch. I had so much fun. Be sure to go to the winery, Holy Cross, too. We go up that way each year to go ATVing in the mountains. Saw a moose with her calf this year. And the aspens are too beautiful for words

Traveling Mercies.... You know, when a son repeatedly asks a Mum to come, it really isn't optional. Asking every once in a while might just be "being nice" but EVERYTIME? That's a command performance, and truly all else pales in comparison. So blessings for your trip... we'll be here when you get back. Becky G.

You'll have fun! Goodness - you are worrying too much. Colorado is big and there aren't any railings along the sides of roads (so the snow plows can get the snow off easily) but really, close you eyes when you are scared. You might surprise yourself by enjoying the ride, or the view! Funny you should mention Iowa farmers. We were at Sauders Village last month and my husband biked all over. He talked about men in trucks driving soooo slowly and stopping - for awhile - at stop signs when no one was around. He thought they were checking the crops. ;-))

I've crossed that bridge once, 23 years ago, when I was station at Lowrey AFB for Tech School. Back then they did not allow cars on the bridge, you walked across. They had a pillar for each of the 50 states along the bridge. You will be in such awe of the view! What a wonderful time of year to visit. Not far down the road from the Royal Gorge is the Garden of The Gods; beautiful rock formations to be seen from the security of your vehicle, no steep cliffs off the road side and nice hiking trails. Enjoy!

Glad you are taking this time to visit your son! I think about all the time I am at work and missing visiting family members and it makes me sad......have fun!!!! We will still be here loving your designs when you get back!

Ok, here's what you do.....go to your local Vitamin/Homeopathic store and ask them about Holistic Valerian root tablets. Those little tiny tabs work like a charm for me and they don't make you groggy like Dramamine. You should check with your doctor first before taking these if you have any health issues.

And I do think you can take those scissors on the plane. I would check the airlines' website.

I agree with you DH. It's time to go see the boy. Work will still be there when you get back and Colorado is such a beautiful state.

I think it's absolutely wonderful that you are taking time off to spend with your son. Enjoy every minute of it! Some quiet time and deep breathing can help you over come your fears :). Just focus on why you are there. I'm sure we will hear wonderful stories of how you conquered it all!You crack me up with your writing lol. Have fun and enjoy!! You deserve this break as much as your son deserves to see you :)

Family and friends should be our top priority but sometimes we just get wrapped up in our own stuff....so happy to hear you are going to see your son.... you will have a marvelous time and work will be there when you return...enjoy every moment!!!

How totally exciting...well whatever it may be I hope that you have a safe and wonderful trip..I would love to go on a Train Ride...hopefully you can take your tiny scissors with you..Have a most wonderful time..can't wait to hear about it...hugs

Hi Brenda! I have never commented on your site before, but I couldn't let this go without saying come on in to Colorado and enjoy! I'm 62 and was born and raised in the same CO small town I'm still living in. We actually are not far from the Royal Gorge! You can drive or walk across it. Please don't miss it. I'm not crazy about heights either, but this is not to be missed! It is beautiful! I like to walk across and stop and take pictures and just LOOK all around. After the first couple of minutes, the beauty will overtake you and you won't even think about the height. Another wonderful train ride to take is the one from Durango to Silverton. It runs along the Animas river and the beauty is breathtaking! Really. Just meet your fears head on and make up your mind to enjoy the majasty of the mountains. I faced a life long fear of roller coasters a couple of years ago and climbed aboard a huge loopy one and now I ride every one I can, while I can. I don't want to being laying on my death bed thinking, "I wish I would have done it." So embrace your fears and meet them head on! Have fun, Linda in CO

Oh man I would totally take your place to cross that bridge LOL Colorado is my second home and I dearly miss it and all of its natural beauty. You are right those Aspens are going to be at their peak, great time to go. Not to hot, not to cold *yet*

Ask your son if he has hiked the INCLLINE yet? http://www.colorado-springs-vacation.com/colorado-springs-hiking-trails-difficult.htmlTalk about torture Hahah

The important things first. My needle threader by clover has a tiny thread cutter so no scissors are needed. I took it on the plane this summer no problems. I ride on the back of my dh BMW motercycle and it has two speeds, stop and OMG. Closing my eyes and thinking happy thoughts is about the only this that helps....good lucky...Trudy

I have flown with my little Gingher scissors many times. The airlines allow scissors under four inches long, and I have never had a problem. I crossed the Royal Gorge bridge by foot thirty-one years ago on my honeymoon, and it was beautiful. If it first bothers you, just look straight ahead and not down. I think you will really enjoy it. We have travelled every year to Colorado since our honeymoon and love it. We just wish Iowa had mountains too!

You will love every minute of it! Take the time and forget all your cares. Just got back from the Denver area myself. We did the mountain roads...Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mtn. National Park. So beautiful, but definitely not for the faint of heart. I, too, had to face my fears, though, and I am so glad I did.

I live in the mountains at 9000 ft elevation about an hour from the Royal Gorge Bridge. No, you don't have to cross the bridge to get to the train. You can walk across it if you want, but no one should force you:) I didn't realize people visiting this area from other places think like you do. I was LOL reading your entire post:) It is beautiful here, and yes it does make you feel small at times, but also close to God. Enjoy your trip and your son.

Brenda, We are jealous!!! Our favorite place is Steamboat Springs, CO. So many road trips from there!!Just fun and the air smells so clean, plus the landscapes are pristine at the higher elevations. Enjoy, and take lots of photos for us, flatland people[OK]. Can't wait for your new pattern additions. :-) Have also enjoyed your sister's posts on the Moda Country Fair Hop and her fabric which is perfect to finish a lot of my needlework projects.

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